Subscribe:http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=arirangkorean Special Interview with THAKSIN Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, is one of the most controversial and influential figures in Thai politics. He recently paid a visit to Korea to attend the World Knowledge Forum, during which he met with Sohn Jie-ae, the President and CEO of Arirang TV, to share his thoughts on the current economic issues in Asia as well as the general issues of Thailand and Korea. During the interview, he asserted that the countries of Asia, forming the largest continent in the world, must put their conflicts and differences aside and cooperate with one another to emerge as the world's new leader. He then emphasized the need for more opportunities for the leaders of the Asian nations to come together and seek the measures to achieve the common goal through multilateral communication. Shinawatra was overthrown in a military coup in 2006 and has since been living in exile. But while he was in office, he implemented a set of economic policies, referred to as Thaksinomics, which is in essence very similar to the Saemaul Movement of Korea. During the conversation, he revealed the background and vision of 'Thaksinomics,' which was highly criticized yet resulted in fruitful outcomes in that it stimulated the rural economy. Despite living in exile for nearly a decade, Thaksin Shinawatra still has a strong presence in Thailand. His younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, entered politics in 2011 and was elected Thailand's first female Prime Minister that same year. He stated that he does provide his sister with advice based on his own political experience, but it is by no means an attempt to influence Thai politics through her. He further stressed the fact that he is out of the political world for good. All he wants, he says, is to forgive and forget and to return to his home country,Thailand, so that he can be with his family and serve the people.

• published: 05 Nov 2013
• views: 1221